Baja California has long been known for its towns of Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, but few have explored this desert jewel, called Loreto. This charming and serene little town that is tucked away in southern Baja California still holds its Mexican flavor and ambiance of years past. Loreto was the capital of upper and lower California for 132 years in a territory that extended from the southern tip of Baja up to San Francisco. The town is also home to the mother of the 21 California missions, which was built over 300 years ago, Nuestra Señora de Loreto. Much history can be found in the mission's museum. The second mission built was San Francisco Xavier de Vigge-Biaundo. A scenic 20-mile drive up a winding dirt road into the Sierra Giganta Mountains will get you there. You'll pass an oasis of water, petroglyphs and palms. Be sure to watch out for the wandering wild burros! At certain times during the rainy season, millions of tiny toads cover the highway as they inch their way out from beneath the wet soil. Other great areas to spend an afternoon exploring are the mountain trails to the waterfall and cave paintings located nearby. If you have time you can also explore the abandoned salt mining town and wreck sites on Isla Carmen.

After the hurricane in 1829, Loreto all but vanished for three-quarters of a century. Since the completion of Highway 1 and availability of regular direct flights from Los Angeles and San Diego, vacationers, divers, snorkelers and kayakers are drawn to the quiet beauty of this pristine area.

Today, Loreto promotes good hotels, tasty restaurants, water activities, local artisan shops and more. Nestled along the Sea of Cortez, it is fast becoming one of Baja's more desired dive destinations. The marine park with its islands that sit offshore offer much diversity in the diving and snorkeling. The white sand beaches of the islands and the long stretches of coastline outside of Loreto are great for hikes, picnics and clambakes, and don't forget the spectacular sunrises and sunsets that light up the islands and Sierra Giganta Mountains.